"We do live in a society where public opinion matters, and I totally respect that," Rice told ESPN's Outside the Lines during an interview Tuesday. "Domestic violence is real. It happens every 12 seconds as we speak. I think that that issue alone with me in my situation, having the video — that puts a lot in perspective. That vivid memory, obviously, that was the worst decision I've ever made in my life."

Rice, 28, went on to state that he's a "rehabilitated man" and wants NFL teams to know that as well.

"The conversations that I had with them is more to understand the magnitude of my situation," he said of potentially-interested NFL franchises. "I know that it's a unique deal, so I just try to honestly live day to day and stay hopeful for that opportunity."

"I can understand some people probably never will forgive my actions," he said. "But I think that every step that I took going forward right now — over time, I want to be able to rewrite the script, to tell my daughter that daddy made the worst decision of his life, but this is what I did going forward."

He added, "I truly lived a nightmare. There is no set in stone whether you're going to get a second chance or not. I have to set my hope and faith and everything else that I'm doing in my life. I'm just really hopeful for a second chance."

In 2013, Rice rushed for 660 yards, averaging 3.1 yards per carry and four touchdowns in a down season.

BET Sports News — Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports, including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes.

(Photo: REUTERS /BRENDAN MCDERMID /LANDOV)

Written by Mark Lelinwalla

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